well when I phoned them up they said after 14 weeks from the date you posted then you can follow up. I phoned them up before 14 weeks as my brother died on Boxing day 0f 2008 I wanted to go home but was told no refund and if I apply again another fee. It was painful but rules need to be followed , death is not an excuse for them.
Thanks joebloggs.
If your a civil servant "rules are rules" and compasssion doesn't come into it.